Evidence suggests a small but important number of people will develop coronavirus-related psychosis

13 May 2020

Researchers at Orygen and La Trobe University have completed a rapid review of contemporary epidemic and pandemic research to assess the potential impact of COVID-19 on people with psychosis.

The review, published online ahead of print in Schizophrenia Research, found an increase in the prevalence of psychosis as a result of COVID-19 would likely be associated with viral exposure, pre-existing vulnerability and psychosocial stress. The review also suggested that people with psychosis may present a major challenge and potential infection control risk to clinical teams working with them.

Orygen research fellow and co-lead author on the study, Dr Ellie Brown looked at published research on viruses such as MERS, SARS, swine influenza and other influenzas that have occurred in the past 20 years, to examine if there was any connection to how these viruses might impact people with psychosis.

“COVID-19 is a very stressful experience for everyone, particularly those with complex mental health needs,” Dr Brown said. “We know that psychosis, and first episodes of psychosis, are commonly triggered by substantial psychosocial stresses. In the context of COVID-19, this could include stress relating to isolation and having to potentially remain within challenging family situations.

“People with psychosis are a population that are particularly vulnerable in the current COVID-19 pandemic and their needs are often overlooked.

“This research shows that their thoughts around contamination, and their understanding around concepts such as physical distancing may be different from the wider population.”

Co-lead author of the research, Professor Richard Gray of La Trobe University said another important finding from the research was that psychotic symptoms, such as hearing voices, may occur in a small number of people with COVID-19.

“Maintaining infection control procedures when people are psychotic is challenging,” Professor Gray said. “In order for them not to become potential transmitters of the virus, clinicians and service providers may benefit from specific infection control advice to mitigate any transmission risk.”

Dr Brown said that although mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety were important to focus on during the COVID-19 pandemic, the community needed to be aware that the smaller but more severe spectrum of mental health conditions could be impacted as well.

Professor Gray agreed. “This is a group that's probably going to need more support, with isolation, physical distancing, hand washing etc, and clinicians may be the ones who need to be thinking and working on this to assist this vulnerable population,” he said.

Orygen acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we are on and pays respect to their Elders past and present. Orygen recognises and respects their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship to their ancestral lands, which continue to be important to The First Nations Peoples living today.

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